Refugee Resettlement/Immigrant Support
Having joined together with Bet Am Shalom to settle an Afghan family in the US several years ago, in the spring of 2022 we joined together with five other congregations (Sinai Free Synagogue, Mt.Vernon; Bet Am Shalom, White Plains; Temple Beth Shalom, Hastings-on-Hudson; Congregation B'nai Yisrael, Armonk; and Shaarei Tikvah, Scarsdale) to form the Westchester Resettlement Coalition and settled another family.
This summer, we were so pleased to welcome our next family, refugees from Afghanistan. Scroll down to learn about
them and how we are helping them. Of course, we can’t do anything without the support of all six congregations.
There are three ways in which you can help:
- Volunteer your time, energy, and skills: Click here to fill out a volunteer form (even if you filled it out before), where you will be able to choose your area of interest (welcome, education, healthcare/public assistance, housing setup, transportation, communications, fundraising, employment – all described on the volunteer form)
- Donate to help with the immediate costs involved in settling a family by clicking here.
- Help in the job search. Gary Karlitz is doing an amazing job in helping our refugees find appropriate work
opportunities, critical to their ability to become self-sufficient. Don’t wait for Gary to reach out to you – contact
him with any ideas/contacts/possibilities you may have. GKarlitz@citrincooperman.com.
You may also reach out to WCT member Leslie Litsky with any questions you have or if you want more detailed information.
Leader: Leslie Litsky, Refugees@wct.org
REPORT FROM WESTCHESTER RESETTLEMENT COALITION
AUGUST 2023 UPDATE:
MEET THE "T" FAMILY FROM AFGHANISTAN!
On July 31, 2023, WRC volunteers picked up the T Family at JFK International Airport. The family is comprised of parents in their early 30s, an 8-year-old girl, and a five-year-old boy. We brought them to temporary housing in Ossining, NY, and provided them with fresh food, pantry items, and household necessities. The family's father worked for the U.S. military for about 10 years. His spoken and written English are both excellent. Although the children weren't able to go to school for the last 2 years (due to safety concerns), the 8-year-old daughter taught herself a good deal of English while at home (via YouTube!). Neither mom nor the 5-year-old son speaks English...yet!
Upon arrival, the family had initial concerns about living in Westchester and wanted to first investigate Queens as a place to live because they have some close friends living there. Over the last two weeks, WRC volunteers have shown the family around Queens, as well as around Yonkers and White Plains, and have helped them acclimate to their temporary housing.
After much deliberation, the T family has ultimately decided to resettle in White Plains, NY, and is very grateful for the community sponsorship assistance provided by WRC.
The WRC Housing Committee is again hard at work locating a suitable 2-bedroom apartment rental in White Plains! Please reach out if you have any leads!
Over the next 6-8 months, WRC will be here to support the T family with school registration, ENL tutoring, health appointments, employment support, and helping the family make connections with other Afghan immigrants living in the White Plains and Westchester area.
"K" FAMILY UPDATE: LOOKING FOR A CAR!
Our family of five adults from Kyiv, Ukraine has decided to remain in their Yonkers apartment for another year. Their remaining outstanding request is for WRC volunteers to hopefully help find a car for them. They are looking for a reasonably priced, gently used 4-door car that can fit 5 adults. Their preference is for car models from years 2017 and up. Please contact us if you have any car leads!
Westchester Resettlement Coalition is 100% volunteer-led and driven. We are grateful for your support and depend
upon your generous tax-deductible donations in order to continue to do this resettlement work in the future.
You can donate directly online at:
https://www.westchesterresettlementcoalition.org/donate